JACKSON TWP. Trustees voted Tuesday night to reward the township administrator for additional work and officially designated the fiscal officer as the economic development director.

Administrator Michael Vaccaro, who also serves as the township's law director, received three $5,000 stipends for serving as the township's lead legal counsel, working with economic development projects and for serving on the Coalition of Large Ohio Urban Townships. Trustees approved paying $15,000 to Vaccaro for work already done this year. Next year, he will receive the stipends in $5,000 increments in March, June and November.

The stipends are not part of Vaccaro's regular salary, which is $96,800 per year, and could be suspended if he stops working in one of the three areas.

Vaccaro was hired as the township's law director in 2013. He added the duties of administrator in January 2016. Because Vaccaro is working two jobs, the township is saving money because it doesn't pay two employees, trustees said.

Fiscal Officer Randy Gonzalez commended Vaccaro's performance and his work with the community. "It's two huge jobs that he does in one," Gonzalez said.

After approving the stipends for Vaccaro, trustees voted to designate Gonzalez as the township's official director of economic development. The title doesn't come with additional pay for Gonzalez.

Trustee John Pizzino, who recommended designating Gonzalez as economic development director, noted that Gonzalez has been helping with economic development projects for some time. Pizzino said Gonzalez, Vaccaro and one trustee usually meet with businesses that contact the township about economic development.

In other business on Tuesday, trustees also gave initial approval to proposed spending by the Fire and Highway departments in 2018.

The Highway Department has allocated more than $10.6 million to general operations, projects and equipment purchases in 2018. More than $4.71 million was allocated for general operations, while $1.3 million was pegged for resurfacing projects.

More than $2.8 million was designated for different capital improvements, including projects that won't start for several years, such as the widening of Fulton Road NW between Brunnerdale Avenue and Foxboro Avenue NW and the extension of Strip Avenue NW to Applegrove Street NW.

Funding for the Highway Department comes from local levies, license plate fees and gasoline taxes collected in the township.

The budget for the Fire Department, which is funded through levies and fees from emergency medical service operations, topped $15 million, with most of the money allocated for operations and wages.

Trustees also:

• Set a hearing for 5:35 p.m. Dec. 12 to consider rezoning two parcels, totaling 30.6 acres, along Wales Avenue NW. The township owns both parcels, with 9.24 acres designated as Keck Park. The township wants to have the land zoned as a neighborhood business district. Stark County Regional Planning Commission has approved the change.

• Hired Nicholas F. Marich as a full-time police officer. He has served the department as a part-time officer.